Direct and Efficient Glycosylation Protocol for Synthesizing α‐Glycolipids: Application to the Synthesis of KRN7000

Herein we describe a simple and practical protocol for accessing the biologically active galactosyl ceramide KRN7000 and other α‐glycolipids with excellent yield and stereoselectivity by using per‐O‐silylated galactosyl iodide and stannyl ethers as glycosylation partners. This direct glycosylation reaction reduces the overall number of steps and provides rapid access to biologically important α‐galactosyl ceramide derivatives. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)